Business & Economic Competitiveness Expert; Former Administrator of U.S. Small Business Administration; President at Tootsie Roll Industries

Brunswick, ME, USA
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Karen Gordon Mills Biography

Karen Gordon Mills is an American businessperson, author, and public servant recognized for her expertise in U.S. competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Mills served in President Barack Obama's Cabinet as administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and was a member of the President's National Economic Council. She holds an AB in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was a Baker Scholar.

At the Small Business Administration, Mills led a team of more than 3,000 employees and managed a loan guarantee portfolio exceeding $100 billion. She implemented reforms to streamline loan programs, shorten turnaround times, and reduce paperwork. Mills also supported small businesses in creating regional economic clusters, accessing early stage capital, hiring skilled workers, expanding exports, and integrating into government and commercial supply chains.

Before her government service, Mills built a career in private equity and venture capital. She served as president of MMP Group, a private equity firm focused on growing businesses in sectors such as consumer products, food, textiles, and industrial components. Prior to MMP Group, Mills was a founding partner and managing director of Solera Capital, a venture capital firm based in New York City that invested in women-owned firms, including natural food producer Annie's. During the 1980s and 1990s, she invested in and managed several small manufacturing firms across the United States, including producers of hardwood flooring, refrigerator motors, and plastic injection molding.

Mills explores the economic health and wellbeing of small businesses in her book "Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream: How Technology is Transforming Lending and Shaping a New Era of Small Business Opportunity." The book analyzes the evolution of fintech and its impact on small business lending, drawing on insights from the period following the 2008–9 recession through the COVID-19 pandemic. Mills is a recipient of the U.S. Department of the Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award and appears regularly on news outlets, including Bloomberg TV and CNBC, with op-eds in American Banker, Fortune, Forbes, The Hill, and Harvard Business Review.

Mills is chair of the Advisory Committee for the Private Capital Research Institute, a member of the Milken Institute's Fintech Advisory Committee, and serves as vice chair of the board of directors of the National Bureau of Economic Research. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Harvard Corporation. Mills is president and a member of the board of directors of Tootsie Roll Industries, continuing her leadership across government, academia, and the private sector.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/30/2026.

Karen Gordon Mills Videos

Managing Through Crisis: Let's Talk About Small Business

Managing Through Crisis: Let's Talk About Small Business

In the wake of COVID-19 some small businesses are closing their doors, maybe forever, but there's hope on the way in the form of the new relief...

Karen Mills, Sr. Fellow Harvard University - #QBConnect #theCUBE ...

Karen Mills, Sr. Fellow Harvard University - #QBConnect #theCUBE ...

Karen Mills, Sr. Fellow Harvard University, Visits #theCUBE!. (00:21) 02. How Important Is The Impact Of Regulations On Small Business.

Restoring the 'American Dream' | Karen G. Mills | TEDxDirigo ...

Restoring the 'American Dream' | Karen G. Mills | TEDxDirigo ...

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  • What topics does Karen Gordon Mills speak about?

    Karen Gordon Mills is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Business, Business Authors, Business Growth, Business Leadership, Economy, Finance, FinTech, Influential Women, Leadership, Professors, Small Business, Women in Business
  • Where does Karen Gordon Mills travel from?

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Karen Gordon Mills is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Karen Gordon Mills for your event is available upon request. Karen Gordon Mills generally travels from Brunswick, ME, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jeffrey Rayport, Monique Rodriguez, Joan Michelson, Sharon Gai and Pia Heidenmark Cook. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Karen Gordon Mills for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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